November 4, 2011

COLUMBUS ZOO ELEPHANT ARRIVES SAFELY AT DENVER ZOO'S ASIAN TROPICS EXHIBIT
Move Supports Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan

A 7-year-old male elephant from Columbus Zoo arrived safely at Denver Zoo the afternoon of November 3. Bodhi (Boh-dee) traveled with an elephant manager, veterinarian and head keeper from Columbus Zoo to become the first male elephant to arrive in Denver Zoo's new Asian Tropics exhibit. Although animals are beginning to move to the exhibit, Asian Tropics will not open until late spring 2012 to allow enough time for animals to become accustomed to the 10-acre area featuring six interconnected habitats and more than 100 gated passageways. Guests will not be able to see the zoo's newest resident until that time.

"This is such an exciting time for us. Bodhi's arrival literally brings Asian Tropics to life. This exhibit was built to ensure the best possible care for elephants. I know Bodhi will have a great life here at Denver Zoo," says Curator of Asian Tropics Dale Leeds.

Bodhi's move was sanctioned by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan in support of Asian elephant conservation. Asian Tropics is an exhibit designed to house up to eight bull (male) elephants. No other zoo habitat has the capability to accommodate that many males. The effort was designed to support zoo breeding programs by providing needed space for bull elephants. Asian Tropics also will support the Asian elephant Species Survival Plan by enabling artificial insemination techniques through semen collection.

Denver Zoo's resident elephants, females Mimi and Dolly, also will move to the exhibit before it opens in late spring 2012. Throughout the summer and fall, zookeepers have used positive reinforcement to help the pair become accustomed to the crates they will use to move to Asian Tropics.

Asian Tropics' expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts Denver Zoo and its colleagues undertake to protect their future. Guests will be immersed in Asian wildlife and culture through multi-sensory experiences providing greater awareness and understanding of the role we all must play in protecting wildlife for future generations. In addition to elephants, the exhibit will be home to other Asian species, including rhinos, tapirs, small clawed otters, fishing cats and flying foxes.

Although construction will be complete before the end of 2011, ample time for staff training and animal acclimation is planned before the exhibit opens to the public in late spring of 2012. With six large animal habitats contained in the 10-acre facility, the complex exhibit features more than 100 animal transfer gates managed from a central control center, connecting two miles of trails to explore. After staff is fully trained on the exhibit, positive reinforcement based training will help zookeepers teach the animals how to navigate the great variety of habitats.